Carrier for egg cartons



July 18, 1933. E. B STRANGE CARRIER FOR EGG CARTONS Filed July 15, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l E. B. STRANGE CARRIER FOR EGG CARTONS Filed July 15, 1931 July 18, 1933.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented July 18, 1933 PAT rrica EDWIN B. STRANGE, OF GORDONSVILLE, VIRGINIA CARRIER FOR Application filed July 15,

This invention relates to a carrier for egg cartons and has for an object an inexpensive and efiicient carrier which will securely support the egg cartons Within a container in 5 such manner as to prevent breakage and provide proper ventilation during transportation.

The carrier is designed for use with the Well-known double ovate egg carton and is made up t several individual pieces of reinforced cardboard or other similar material which are designed to be shipped to the user in fiat or knocked-down condition. The car rier consists of a pair of end members connected by spaced strips projecting through slots in the end member and having locking engagement therewith. The adjacent edges of the strips extend into the longitudinal recesses of the egg cartons and the strips are provided with slots to receive the binding string with which each egg carton is provided. The frame and the associated cartons are assembled within a box suitab'e for shipping by express or parcel post. By means of the frame, the carriers are securely suspended within the box in definite spaced relation both from each other and the sides of the box so that no backim or other protective material is required. 1* urthermore, the spacing of the carriers permits the necessary circulation of air to insure proper ventilation during shipment.

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein:

ig. 1 is a top view of the carrier and associated cartons in a container with the top open;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the carrier and associated cartons;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation with the carrier lying on one side, and

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 44 of Fig. 3.

The carrier comprises a pair of end members having slots 11 and 12. Strips 13 extend between the end members 10 and project through the slots 11, each strip being provided with a notch 14 by means of which the strips and end members are interlocked.

EGG CARTONS 1931. Serial No. 550,872.

A double ovate egg carton 15 is supported byeach strip 13, the upper edge of the strip being received Within the lower longitudinal recess of the egg carton, and each strip being provided with a slot 16 to receive the hinding string 17 of the carrier. Additional. strips 18 extend between the end'members 10' and project through the slots 12, thesestrips being provided with notches 19 for interlock-- M ing the strips and end members. The lower 50f edges of the strips 18 extend into the upper longitudinal recesses of the egg cartons 15 and are provided with slots 20 to receive the binding string 17 of said cartons. The upper edge 0t each strip 20 extends into the lower longitudinal recess of an egg carton 21 and is provided with a slot 22 to receive the binding string 23 of said carton. Strips 25 extend between the end members 10 and through the slots 12, the lower edges of these strips being received in the upper longitudinal recesses of the cartons 21 and the strips being provided with slots 26 to receive the binding strings 23.

The frame and its associated cartons are 7 assembled within a box 27 suitable for shipment. In assembling, the strips 13 are first connected to the end members 10 and then the lower row of egg cartons 15 are placed on the upper edges of the strips 13 with the strings 17 received in the slots 16. The strips 18 are then introduced into the slots 12 and into assembled relation with respect to the lower row of cartons, the strings 17 of the cartons being received in the slots 20. The next row 85 of cartons is then put in place with the strings 23 extending through the slots 22 after which the top strips 26 are introduced into the slots 12 and properly positioned with respect to the top row of cartons, the strings 23 being received in the slots 26. The cover of the container 27 is then closed and the package is ready for shipment.

The carrier securely supports the egg cartons in spaced relation, thereby avoiding the necessity of packing material to prevent breakage. Moreover, the spaced arrangement of the cartons and the lack of packing material insures proper ventilation of the eggs. Inasmuch as the carrier is composed of fiat members, it may be shipped to the user in knock-down condition to be assembled as needed. In its knock-down condition, the frame takes up but little space and a large number of frames may be stored in a relatively small storage space.

It is of course understood that various modifications may be made in the structure above described, Without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In combination, a pair of'end members having two sets of alined slots extending inwardly from opposite edges and of different depth, two sets of strips extending between said end members with their ends extending through said slots and being interlocked with said end members, double ovate egg cartons interposed between said strips with the edges thereof lying in the longitudinal recess-es of the cartons, a third set of strips extending between said end members with their ends projec-ting through the slots of greater depth and double ovate egg cartons interposed between the strips arranged in the greater depth slots with the edges of said strips received in the longitudinal recesses of the cartons.

2. In combination, a pair of end members having two sets of: aiined slots extending inwardly from opposite edges and of different depth, two sets of strips extending between said end members with their ends extending through said slots and being interlocked with said end members, double ovate egg cartons interposed between said strips with the edges thereof lying in the longitudinal recesses of the cartons, a third set of strips extending between said end members with their ends projecting through the slots of greater depth and double ovate egg cartons interposed between the strips arranged in the greater depth slot-s with the edges of said strips received in the longitudinal recesses of the cartons, said cartons having binding strings and said strips having slots to receive the same.

EDWIN B. STRANGE. 

